The Best Convertible Cars Of 2026, According To Kelley Blue Book

As the vehicle industry continues to evolve, the market for convertibles has been in decline. A recent report by S&P Global Mobility found that roughly 70,000 convertibles were registered in the U.S. between March 2023 and February 2024, meaning less than 1% of drivers prioritized putting the top down over other criteria in their latest car purchases. Over the years, automakers have gradually shifted their focus toward SUVs, crossovers, and trucks, which tend to deliver higher profits and appeal to a broader range of buyers. At the same time, higher safety standards and shifting consumer tastes have made convertibles a more difficult segment to justify for many manufacturers.

Convertibles might not be the most practical vehicles, but they're beloved by many car enthusiasts. That's probably why, for vehicles that comprise such a small share of the U.S. market, they remain an enduring niche. To aid those who are still interested in driving a drop top, Kelley Blue Book (KBB) editors have test-driven and reviewed 2025 and 2026 model year convertibles and ranked them based on factors like value, safety, fuel economy, performance, tech, and cargo space. These reviews, combined with insight from other trustworthy car sources, should help you make an informed decision if you're looking for a new convertible in 2026.

Ranking among the lower end of KBB's list are both the Mazda MX-5 Miata and its RF version. There isn't much difference between the two, with the most notable variation being that the RF has a power-operated retractable hardtop instead of the soft-top convertible roof. This makes the RF a bit heavier and more expensive. Even so, it's unsurprising that either of the 2026 MX-5 Miatas made this list: The Miata, over the decades, holds the world record for the best-selling two-seat convertible sports car, and Consumer Reports named the Miata one of the most reliable cars of 2024. Since the fourth-generation Miata came out in 2015, each model year has been fairly comparable in design quality, which certainly informs why KBB ranks it so highly.

Apart from being a fun and agile sports car, the Miata truly shines as a financially attainable convertible. According to Mazda, the 2026 soft-top starts at $30,430, while the RF model starts at $38,450. Even the premium RF Club model sits at just $41,900. Those are all relatively affordable starting prices as far as sports cars go, and the Miata's respectable 34-mile-per-gallon fuel economy on highways will also ensure you don't blow all your savings on gas.

The 2026 Mini Convertible scored four stars in Kelley Blue Book's editor ratings and a perfect five from consumers. KBB praises it for its design, sheer fun factor, and modern tech offerings, while consumer reviews give it perfect scores in value, performance, and styling. Other car review platforms also highlight just how fun these agile little rides are, though some have noted the lack of a manual transmission option in newer model years as a potential hiccup for some drivers. 

The Mini's fun comes with "small-car, big-bill" potential if you don't watch the trim and ownership costs. KBB lists the 2026 Mini Convertible starting at about $35,775, and it rises to roughly $45,775 for a John Cooper Works model. According to MoneyGeek, even the Mini Convertible's base trim will run you at least $10,000 more than the average subcompact's sticker price. It also comes with potentially high ownership costs: KBB's Cost to Own estimate for the 2025 Mini Convertible — which is part of the same generation as the 2026 model — pegs the first five years of ownership costs at close to $54,000. This projection accounts for nearly $22,000 in depreciation and around $32,000 in out-of-pocket expenses like fuel and maintenance. The 2026 model review on KBB especially highlights that fueling this convertible will prove particularly expensive, as it demands premium gas for the best performance.

As a car on the broader market, the Ford Mustang may have a questionable value proposition. For example, a retiree might want to reconsider a Ford Mustang due to its impracticality and high insurance costs. However, if you're in the market for a convertible and nothing else, then the 2025 Mustang could perhaps be your best choice. KBB backs this up with a five-star consumer rating, a similarly high expert rating, and the No. 2 spot on its best non-luxury convertible cars list. KBB describes the 2025 Mustang as a familiar take on the iconic pony car, with the only drawback being that the rear seats are more symbolic than useful.

Outside the KBB universe, the reviews get a little more mixed. Edmunds' test team rates the 2025 Mustang 7.2 out of 10 after taking it out on the street and around a track. MotorTrend notes the wide selection of Mustang trims available as one potential positive, but the actual driving experience and interior design are a bit more lackluster.

While the 2025 Ford Mustang convertibles come in the EcoBoost and GT packages, KBB highlights that the GT is definitely where you should go to get the more authentic Mustang experience. That's because it's one of the few remotely affordable cars out there with a 5.0-liter V8 engine. But you'd need between $50,000 and $60,000 to buy one of those new. Meanwhile, the turbocharged EcoBoost Convertible lists new for around $42,000.

Kelley Blue Book's top-rated convertible for 2026 is the Chevrolet Corvette. It receives a near-perfect score from experts, with the review praising it for its good value, exquisite style, wide choice of trims, and pleasant driving experience. While the consumer rating is only above average on KBB, Consumer Reports has given the Chevy Corvette high scores for customer satisfaction, meaning that it could also be a great car for casual enthusiasts.

Every 2025 Corvette trim comes with the option of choosing a coupe or convertible version. The convertibles come with a power-retractable hardtop that tucks in the roof at speeds up to 30 miles per hour, though they do typically cost about $7,000 more than the coupes. However, the coupes have manually detachable targa-style roofs that could still effectively work as a convertible in a non-technical sense — you'd just have less flexibility regarding when you could take them off.

The 2025 Corvette starts around $70,195, though KBB's research suggests it's realistic to find lower-end trims like the Stingray for around $64,000. KBB predicts that a 2025 Corvette will retain roughly 61% of its value after five years, putting it among the best potentially resellable cars as of early 2026. Depreciation and insurance still make up a big chunk of ownership costs, but the Corvette's combination of performance, price, and resale value suggests it could be a stronger long-term investment than some European alternatives.

If you have the budget for something a bit more premium, the Porsche 718 Boxster holds KBB's top spot for luxury convertibles. It ranks among the few luxury cars Kelley Blue Book reports are actually worth your money, and the experts give it top marks for its unbelievably good driving experience and relatively attainable price tag compared to many other offerings in its class. The only issue reviewers listed is that it isn't compatible with Android Auto, which could alienate some potential buyers. Since all 718 Boxster trims are soft-top convertibles, you'll also avoid potential design compromises that pop up in models that aren't exactly made to be 100% convertible.

Going by KBB's figures, the 2025 Porsche Boxster lineup starts around $76,895 for the base model and stretches over $103,000 for the GTS 4.0. That price bracket puts the Boxster well within true luxury-sportscar territory while still undercutting competitors like higher-end versions of the Mercedes-Benz AMG SL and BMW Z4. It also seems to hold value well for a luxury sports car, with KBB reporting the 2025 model year depreciated just 7% in its first year on the market. Meanwhile, TheMoneyCalculator estimates that 718 Boxsters as a whole tend to only lose about 16% of their value over three years. And while this particular model might come at a higher premium than the others on this list, the cost of maintaining it might not be as severe as you'd expect: Between repairs and maintenance, Edmunds predicts the 718 Boxster could cost its driver roughly $2,200 per year on average for the first five years of ownership.